Maintenance

SportMaster 100% acrylic sport surfaces are very durable and require little maintenance. Basic cleaning will go a long way in preventing premature wear and staining. Here are some tips for maintaining your investment and extending the life of your sport surface between resurfacing cycles.

Clean your court regularly

Once a month is suggested. Watch for evidence of mold or mildew in shaded areas and corners where organic debris tends to accumulate. Indoor courts require both frequent vacuuming and at least one annual wet cleaning with mild detergent solution and soft bristled equipment. Acrylic coatings do not support fungus growth, so growth of fungus or mold is a result from food and drink spills, decaying matter, or other foreign materials on the surface feeding these organisms.

To remove mold, fungus & other organisms on the acrylic surface use:

• 2 parts household bleach, mixed with 1 part water. Use this solution to treat affected areas. Scrub gently with soft bristled brush and rinse thoroughly after a few minutes.
• Rinsing court with water is usually sufficient for general cleaning. If there are visible stains on the court surface, a mild detergent can be applied prior to gentle scrubbing with a soft bristled brush.

Here is a mild detergent formula:
Combine 4 parts water with 2 parts TSP (trisodium phosphate) and 1 part household beach, when mildew present.

Neutral PH cleaning solution, like Simple Green, is also good in place of TSP.
Surface pressure washers, like the Mystic Washer, are ideal for cleaning outdoor courts. They are consistent and minimize the striping affect you get from pressure washer wands. Surface pressure washers also come in various sizes, for faster cleaning. If using a wand, be very careful not to get the tip too close to the surface, as it may damage and strip the coatings.
For indoor court surfaces, push behind floor machines work well. These machines have a rotating brush on the front and a squeegee on the rear. Make sure you only use the softest brush available, to prevent damage to the surface. Only clean the court surface when visibly dirty, and avoid over-washing. Frequent scrubbing and pressure washing can strip the sand out and wear the surface prematurely.

Remove standing water

Rain showers help clean your court. However, dirt accumulates in standing water, leaving stains and piles of debris. This acts like sandpaper under the players’ feet and creates abrasion on the surface. Remove water from birdbaths as often as possible. Court Irrigation systems around the court should not spray on the court.

Remove foreign matter

Leaves and pine needles not only can stain your court, but also are breeding grounds for mold and mildew. It is especially important to remove leaves in the fall and keep your court free of debris all winter.

Use proper equipment

Use soft nylon or hair-type brooms for scrubbing your surface. Scrubbing too hard with hard bristles can damage the surface. When using a pressure washer, limit pressure and do not hold tip too close to the surface, or coatings can be damaged. Surface pressure washers save time and do not leave a stripes like hand wands.

Damage prevention

Post signs or banners near the entrance and throughout the court area with court “rules”. Here are some suggestions:

Use only non-marking tennis shoes on the court surface

No bikes, roller blades, or skateboards (Unless using SkateMaster Surfacing System)

No chewing gum, food, or drinks (other than water) on the playing surface

Do not drag chairs, benches or other items over the surface

Use pads underneath chair legs or equipment that is on the court. Anchor benches or any other permanent fixtures to the surface to prevent damage from sliding or dragging. Protect the surface before driving maintenance vehicles onto the court.

Snow & Ice

If necessary to remove snow or ice, take care not to use hard or sharp tools that can damage the surface coatings or pavement surfaces (i.e. spud bar, scrapers, etc.). If using plows, ensure that shoes are used on the equipment to prevent direct contact of the blades and the surface. Snow or ice melt chemicals are not recommended. Salt can also create extra abrasion on the surface which can potentially shorten the life of the surfaces.

Drainage (outdoor courts)

Drain systems are a very important part of tennis court construction. Excess water that flows back onto the court surface or beneath the court can cause problems. Properly installed drainage systems divert water away from the court and should be inspected from time to time.

Look for any evident damage to structures and drain pipes

Clear away any vegetation or debris that may be blocking drains or swales

Landscaping (outdoor courts)

Tennis and basketball facilities are designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Landscape architects take pride in planning such facilities and understand the many benefits of landscaping around them. Here are some tips related to landscaping and protecting the surface.

Keep grass and any other vegetation trimmed and away from the court surface

Minimize the amount of dirt and dust that blows onto the court by mulching planting beds, and planting grass or ground vegetation on any bare areas around the sport facility.

Blow or sweep walks around and leading into the court to minimize tracking and blowing of debris.

Protect the surface from weed killer, fertilizer, insect control products and any other chemicals that may potentially damage the court surfacing system.

Do not over-water vegetation around the court. This can sometimes lead to accumulation of excessive moisture beneath the base. When the court surface heats up from the sun, blisters can form as the moisture evaporates and comes through the acrylic layers.

Repair and Resurfacing

The standard resurfacing cycle for SportMaster acrylic sport surfaces is 5 to 8 years. The asphalt and concrete base of a tennis court, no matter how well built, can exhibit cracking and low spots known as “birdbaths”. There are many factors that can contribute to these problems from ground movement and sinking, to tree roots and improper construction or base mixes. While many of the cleaning and protection functions can be handled by the court owner or maintenance crew, pavement repairs and resurfacing is best handled by a sport surfacing professional.

Our recommendation is to have an annual inspection performed in the spring of the year to evaluate the condition of your facility. Most tennis court builders and surfacing contractors offer free or inexpensive maintenance programs like this to their customers. Here are some of the details they will address in regards to surfacing:

• Overall condition and appearance of the facility
• Surface damage, birdbaths, or cracks that have appeared or reopened
• Performance of the drainage system.
• Areas of premature wear or damage. Identify causes.
• Condition of the surfacing system: texture, fading, stains, mold or mildew growth
• Condition of tennis court accessories: Tennis nets and net posts, windscreen, center strap, etc.

For assistance locating a qualified sport surfacing professional, contact your SportMaster representative or click on the “Locate Installers” section.